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Thursday, 22 March 2012

I met him for the first time in the beautiful place popularly known as pink city- Jaipur in 2002. Still can visualise that day, I was glued to window of the bus until arrival of this City where every nook and corner was depicting a cultural heritage and Pink colour.

With the mixed feelings of excitement and fear, my hands knocked the door of the house, whose address was provided to me by my friend Neeraj. This is the place where Neeraj and his other colleagues as well, I ought.Suddenly a young boy opened the door for me.

I was welcomed in by warm smile of his. On enquiring about Trainee Pilot Neeraj I learned that he along with others have already left for Rajasthan State Flying School [ aka Jaipur Flying Club].

The boy offered me water, followed by very tasty Jaljira and then food. While talking with him I got to know that this bungalow belongs to his father, who is general manager with B.S.N.L. He has two sibling a sister and brother he being the eldest.

They have given one portion of their Big house on rent more of as a paying guest to the trainee pilots as their house is close to Jaipur Airport. While talking with Somesh I lost the track of the time. The boy was extremely energetic, humble and enthuastic.

In evening, Neeraj and other friends came back from the Flying club and I joined them in my new room. Soon my Flying Training got started. With time my bonding with Somesh also got stronger.

He had always been helpful to us. Whenever we came back after night Flying he use to come to pick us up from the Airport. He even at times dropped us by his Old but sweet Maruti 800 car. His vehicle is always there in case we get late for our Flights.

All festivals were celebrated together. We became more like a family. His mom our Aunty was like a Mom for all of us. Even she knows more aviation jargons then all of us. Somesh use to roam with us, we use to have cigarettes and beers in the parties, where Somesh never use to participate rather he Displayed us all in his computer one day, a slide show with the images of people having deadly diseases in their mouth, throat and all over. They were people from all age group. Photos were scary as if wounds displayed in their faces have decayed and made us read the displayed information of each patient where it was mention that among them mostly died later.

That night we couldn’t sleep. To everyone’s surprise I along with few of our friends quit smoking forever. Till this day I m thankful to him for that eye opening act. That way he made a strong influence on all of us, even though being younger to us, he was a living mentor for all.

Seeing his determination and commitment towards work and the spirit to follow what’s right, I suggested him while interacting one day as “Somesh, Why Don’t u too like us become a pilot after your studies.”He said, “I would love to be one, but then I wonder whether it will be a correct decision, as the course is too expensive and it might take along all the hard earned money of my father.”Little astonished by the reaction, I said –“Is this really Somesh speaking, who have never considered any task at hand evendifficult let alone impossible. He said “no, I am not scared”, it was just the money I am little concerned about.

I explained him “Somesh , life is all about taking risk! Until you do not try new things, explore the unknown you will not be able to grow .That is a challenge So you must give it try and then devote your full self in it. And I know for the boy like you, who never accept anything wrong but hard work, it is a great option; build the Aviators spirit in you, to excel always”.

He thought over and decided to take his career above the sky, and to fly the amazing machine he has spent his childhood watching.

Thus after finishing his school he too got enrolled in the Rajasthan Flying Club as a Trainee Pilot. His ride of training was not very smooth , Flying went slow due to lack of Air Planes and later then Pilot Instructors were not available. He struggled for years to achieve his Commercial Pilot License. Even after his father being retired as a chief with B.S.N.L, which reflects a powerful position, he never used his father’s position and influence and went on struggling to achieve the CPL. Ultimately he decided to fly to USA and finish remaining training in Texas.

As every night is followed by sunshine, there came the auspicious day and he got his Commercial Pilot License issued. By that time I got in the Air India and was flying for them. When he applied, air India didn’t have any vacancies, so he got into nothing but vein. He kept on studying and kept himself current, after waiting for long, there was want for flying choppers of the C.M of the Rajasthan. He applied, and did well in the interview but didn’t get in, later he was asked if he can pay, he will get the chance. Very furious by the offer, he straight away said No, and came back. However in a flight for official meeting the plane along with C.M got crashed one day, due to bad weather and high thunderstorm condition and everybody on board died.

In this situation of dilemma, new Chief Minister was selected and government urgently required a good Pilot in order to fly the new Chief Minister. This way, he was called back by the company and he got a job, as a Co-Pilot to fly the plane of Chief Minister of the state. Very soon he went on becoming the captain.And was quite popular cause of his excellent landing and other flying skills in the company.One day while Somesh was attending a family function, he got a call and was asked to come for a flight at night. He rushed to reach the airport and so did his co-pilot.They had to take the flight to Udaipur. They landed at Udaipur and Chief Minister left the Airport. That time Airport was completely vacant and shops were closed, so these Pilots remained in at the airport waiting for the Chief Minister to return so they may take him back.

As I was on the Udaipur itself that time, Somesh called me at the airport, I reached there, we chatted for hours, as they both were quiet hungry I brought along food, and they had it, we waited there for Chief Minister for long but around 01:00 am I had to leave cause of my flight that day, they both kept on waiting, being on duty hours they kept their calm and simply waited. After two more hours C.M came back. Somesh lost his temper once he got to know that they were waiting for hours as C.M brought the plane especially to Udaipur in order he can watch a movie 3 idiot in Lake Palace with some guests |!

He was very upset, seeing the waste of government funds done by the ministers and waste of his skills, next morning he resigned the job. I and everyone tried to explain him the importance of the job but fell on deaf ears. I was little worried for my friend.

I came to meet him and asked him that what will he do now?

Somesh said “I will open my own travel agency and help people reaching their destinations.I found the idea very absurd. Quiet shocked I said “Are you kidding me? Starting your travel agency! That’s a big investment and huge risk.”Somesh smiled and said –“I understand my friend, but now I have the aviator’s spirit in me! My flying experience has taught me to explore the unknown and take risk, now; I understood the words you spoke when you wanted me to enter in the world of aviation, it’s now that I know exactly what aviators spirit is, and it is already burning.”

“But where will you open the agency”? I asked.

In my house itself, I will start with one room; we use to give for rent.As Somesh was so keen and enthuastic to start his business , I thought maybe once the agency starts he will realize that practically it’s not so easy and again come to fly.

By that time I was promoted to International Flights and life started running on fast pace. With Mumbai (that time Bombay) as my base , and having schedule to Mumbai-Frankfurt –Chicago flight circle I use to get only two days at home, I got busy with my life and unfortunately lost touch with Somesh , I did tried calling him at times , but due to change in his number I couldn’t be in contact.I got busy with my profession and family but still I was keen to hear about Somesh , weather he joined C.M back or is he flying with airlines , but I didn’t have any way to trace , other than his address. Still I use to imagine meeting him some day in uniform flying, though never found him that way.

Once due to technical problem in the plane in one of my flight we were diverted to Jaipur. Landing at Jaipur after years gave me a different feeling of joy and could recall my days when at the same Airport we use to land with instructors beside in our Cesena’s.

Those bumpy landings, instructor’s shouting, waiting for flights, roaming in the city with buddies and Somesh. How beautiful were those days, I thought .My mind however got stuck with Somesh. Somesh, yes I can now find about his whereabouts our plane went under maintenance and we were schedule for next day morning flight. On our way to hotel I was watching from the window of the car, how significantly city has changed. After reaching the hotel where we were supposed to wait or rest till next flight, I got very active as I knew this is my chance to meet or to get information about Somesh.

I came out of the hotel, and called the first cab that came in my sight, hopped in, said the address and then waited, my god, my heart begin beating faster as I saw the same street where we roamed once, ohh, how excited I was to see my friend, will I find him, how will he react once he see me, what will I say once we meet, so many stories to share! My mind was full of such questions and I was growing more and more impatient. And my cab stopped in front of the bungalow. The house was not same as before, now it was way bigger than it once was, and its beauty was enhanced by a marvellous garden in front.

I entered in and knocked the door. It was Capt Bhanu, Somesh younger brother; he had grown taller and smarter too. He was visibly astonished and amazed to see me after years. I said-“Hey, Bhanu, how have you been? What are you doing these days ? Nice to see you after this long.”Bhanu too was delighted to meet me, he said-“wow, what a surprise, seeing you after years. I am a Commercial Pilot now, and so is my sister. We are both flying for Jet Airways India Ltd.”

“Ohh, that’s so wonderful to know. Den of aviators”-I chuckled.“And Capt Somesh”, I asked-where is he?He said –“I will better take you to him rather than telling, he will be so happy to see you.”“he is in the city itself, great!”-I said.

I joined him in his Honda Civic Car and we were headed to Capt Somesh. Finally I have got a chance to meet him. There I saw a jaw dropping sight. There was a huge board of “Somlly Tours and Travels Pvt. Ltd”. Huge office he has got. “Man! He is actually into Travel Agency that too with such a huge office.”I asked –“Does this office belong to Somesh ?” He smiled and nodded. That man has done it. From inside place was like some palace, mind blowing interior, I thought. Somesh saw me through his cabin and came out.He hugged me and said” ohh yaar, how are you? I am buttoned up man, can’t tell you how great it is to see you.”

I said “Seriously even I am speechless, let’s have a seat first”.We both rested our selves, came back into senses, and I asked “how did you manage to grow such a vast empire. You started with just a room, and now as Bhanu told me on the way- that you earn more than the sum of their both Pilots income together. You are a multimillionaire now. Where’s the magic stick, such a establish business, how did you managed?”

Somesh smiled and said-“That night waiting for the minister made me realised that I was wasting my abilities for those illiterate ministers, who just know to loot the countries money and fill their bag. The incident brought a fire in me and kept me going.When I started the agency I had no experience of the field but I had something unique, which kept the fire on.”I asked “What was that?”

He said “Aviator’s spirit and thus I never lost hope”.

I felt so happy and proud of my friend.

“So what’s the next target Mr. Aviator”?

He said-“Now, I desire to provide my service in every possible place in the world. Where ever any one can point in the world map, I should be able to land my service.

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I board my 1st ever International flight all alone from Banglore to olombo Airlanka [ Now Srilankan ] flt no UL 342 with an aim to be an Airline Pilot. I used to be a frequent flyer with dad and mom but never flew alone on International sectors, though I flown all alone many a times on domestic routes. Wearing blue Reebok T shirt n black Pepe jeans with Nike my favourate shoes. I was Bit nurvous and too much entho about being a future Airline Pilot. I could see only Airbus 340 and Boeing 747 in my dream.

I kept my Admission letter of Asia's best and most reputed flight school Asian School of Aviation. I was awaiting for an Air hostess to ask me " where are you going" so I can show her my letter and make her impress. So she can take better care of mine. It did not happend and I landed at Colombo Internatonal Airport Runway 27.

Ayubuan, Welcome to Colombo Internatonal Airport Cabin crew annouced and we slowly started deboarding the plane.

Colombo Airport

Welcome to Asian School of Aviation I saw a person at Arrival with my name play card IMRAN KHAN from India. It was so proud to see such card of my own name at Airport. I immidiately hoped in to Academy's Toyota Ace Van and drove down to all the way south of Colombo city Mt Lavinia . I was browsing through all nice places of this paradise Iceland. Mount Lavinia a typical tourist city of Srilanka where you get 75% White and only 25% locals. It was an amazing experience all together.

I started my Ground classes for Student Pilot Licence [ SPL ]. with other fellow Pilots from all over, Captain Namal was my 1st ground Instructor, very young Pilot but full of Aviation knowledge and amazingly good with communication. Captain Ravi Silva

our Chief Flight Instructor [ CFI ] an ATPL from Europe and Type rated on Boeing 747 from USA had an amazing command was the owner of this Academy too. Academy has two divisions

"Air Cabs" Air Taxi Charter & Cargo and Flight Training.

I started my Flying lessions for Private Pilot Licence [ PPL ]. with other fellow Pilots Captain Sanjiva was my Flight Instructor, very Deshing and stylish young FAA trained Pilot full of Aviation knowledge and filthy rich from family front. He was more then friendly with in inside and out side the cockpit.

Now Aircrafts, Hangers, Fuel, Tower were part of my life, instead of flak and the normal high risk of flying a plane. On my 2nd Solo cross country flight We moved into Merode Castle, about three or four miles from the town of Gale on the Gale Harber Roer River. The castle had been built in the Middle Ages. It was surrounded by a moat, and had several staircases leading up the circular towers to the ramparts, where archers in centuries past had defended the castle. Nothing about the area seemed particularly familiar to me, except that I knew I had flown several missions to touch & Go my targets in this vicinity, especially during November. We were there now making preparations for a major task to get my PPL asap. The photograph

below shows me in front of the main entrance to the heavily designed Hotels with swiming pool.

I was flying at an altitude of 9000 ft given by Colombo Tower. [ Yes I was still under the range of VHF Tower only ]

I am doing hard for my Private Pilot Now. So I can fly my Airplanes as Pilot In Command and carry passengers too. To be eligible for a Private Pilot certificate, training process over a longer period of time. More about that later. In general, thestudent Pilot must also be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language. The student's logbook will need to have certain endorsements in it regarding the student's readiness to take a "written" test as well as an "oral" and "practical" test by the instructor that actually taught the student. The instructor will also make sure the student has completed the flight training and has the proper experience before allowing the student to take the "practical" test.

How to obtain information on runway lengths at airports of intended use, data on takeoff and landing distances, weather reports and forecasts, and fuel requirements and

How to plan for alternatives if the planned flight cannot be completed or delays are encountered.

The knowledge of flight that the student will need to have before he can be issued a private pilot certificate would include the following;

Preflight preparation,

Preflight procedures,

Airport and seaplane base operations,

Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds,

Performance maneuvers,

Ground reference maneuvers

Navigation

Slow flight and stalls

Basic instrument maneuvers

Emergency operations

Night operations and

Postflight procedures.

The actual flight experience the student will need to have before he can be issued a private pilot certificate would include the following; At least 40 hours of flight time that includes at least 20 hours of flight training from an instructor and 10 hours of solo flight training. The training must include at least

3 hours of cross-country flight training in a single-engine airplane

3 hours of night flight training in a single-engine airplane that includes --

One cross-country flight of over 100 nautical miles total distance and

10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport.

3 hours of flight training in a single-engine airplane on the control and maneuvering of an airplane solely by reference to instruments, including straight and level flight, constant airspeed climbs and descents, turns to a heading, recovery from unusual flight attitudes, radio communications, and the use of navigation systems/facilities and radar services appropriate to instrument flight

3 hours of flight training in preparation for the practical test in a single-engine airplane, which must have been performed within 60 days preceding the date of the test and

10 hours of solo flight time in a single-engine airplane, consisting of at least --

5 hours of solo cross-country time

One solo cross-country flight of at least 150 nautical miles total distance, with full-stop landings at a minimum of three points, and one segment of the flight consisting of a straight-line distance of at least 50 nautical miles between the takeoff and landing locations and

Three takeoffs and three landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport with an operating control tower.

Generally speaking, this can not be accomplished in the minimum amount of 40 hours required by the regulations. The national average for training time before students take their private pilot check ride is about 65 hours.

I am a Private Pilot Now. I did so much to get it and I can fly my Airplanes as Pilot In

Command and carry my friends and family. I can see the world with different eye.

Even I can fly my Srilankan girl friends too. Now moving to magestic City and liberty Plaza

become very rare but still Solo parties of Foreign Pilots are there. Michale Bruce [ Mike ]

had an amazing Solo party with an airplane shape Cake. There was a competition of

boozing and every Pilot was flying in Alcho Sky except few Pilots like me, but we also

enjoyed with amazing japanies food and soft drink. I got back home at 1230 in night and

started next solo crass country to Viravalla about 180 NM [ Nautical Miles ]. It was a part

of my Pilot's life now, late Solo parties and early morning sorty. Luckily I was not an

alcholic [ which is very common amoung Pilots ] So I could manage with small 5 hrs

sleep and a long cross country some times in Cessna 150 / 152 or Cessna 182.

Sky is the limit for others for me its my home now. I am enjoying my flying now. Its real

thrill to fly these machines over sea and over land. Time also flying with these flying birds.

Now I am more confident Pilot as wel as my instructors also treating me like a Co Pilot,

no more a student Pilot. I am doing lot of Cross country flights to meet Civil Aviation Authority

requirments.

5th June 1996

I am a Commercial Pilot Now and I can fly my Airplanes as Pilot In Command and

carry passengers and charge them. I can join any Airlines or Charter Air in the world.

Back home, every one was so happy in my family all my friends and family members

were there at Banglore Airport to receive me. We had a Big party next day at my

place where whole Banglore was present. Chief minister Of Karnataka offered me a

Job of his state Aircraft King Air C 90. I felt bit insulting as I was in euphoria and wanted

to fly Bigger birds of Airlines not for these Politician's Air plane.

Still I was polite enough to refuse his offer.

After my 8-9 months Pilot training I become 10 yrs mature now. Every one started treating me

like a Professional Pilot, I am no more a student though I am still just 20 yrs. Even Dad talking

me like an experienced person and my openion had a great value. In Dads office I am

no more a boss Ka Baba I am also called as Sir. This Pilot Training abroad made me so

mature and professional. I am a part of many importent decisions now. Even senior Engineers

and managers were waiting at Dad's office if they have some improtenet task to be finalise. Luckley

all my work was worth so far.

I set in Air India interviews and got selected as Trainee Co Pilot for Boeing 737 Aircraft.

At Air india I realise the importence of my tough training I got. I was no 3 in list. 1 & 2nd

both were Son & daughters of Air India Commanders. They deserve to be there. Its already

more then 2 years now still I am awaiting for Air India to call me and join. i went back to Colombo

twice to get my all recency flying done. Thanks to dad's business thats keep me

busy through out. Also I am enjoying too. As I am making more money then Air india

commander siting at Home working part time for Dad's construction business at my own pace.

I also joind Banglore Flying Club to keep my flying current. But I am forgettting Air india and I

believe Air India too.

Its almost more then 4 years now I did my CPL flying and my Flying hrs increasing very slow

in log book as I hardly get time to go to BFC and fly Cessna 152. But yes for my business trips

to shart distances I am using BFC Cessna to saving on Pilots salary and pay almost 50% of actual

charter flight. Also one of my manager or Engineer get a ride with me. I fly on cloud 7 on my business

flights.

2001

Aviation boom is back in india and every Airlines needs Pilots now. I was 1st in race with all my

licences current and all more then double flying hrs on my log book. I joined ModiLuft Airlines to fly

AirBus 320 Aircraft this time. I have been selected for type rating at Tulus [ France ]

Capt Sonia from Delhi was my Sim partner, Sonia was a daughter of a Modiluft commander

she did her flying from one of the indian Flying club on Pushpak MK -I aircraft. Her knowledge

was limited to take off and Landing back safely her Pushpak. she did her Multi Engine

training from Australia with about 50Hrs on Logbook and hardly 10 Hrs on Actual.

Our Simulator instructor was a French Pilot Capt Claude Flix was a very tough Pilot

who hates Asian like any thing. It was a very rare combination of 3 different Pilots at

Tulus. So we made many cresh landings at Simulator and got back home without any

type rating. Going back to Modiluft was waste of time also my Business was also getting

suffer a lot. But Capt Sonia got her type rating in Miami as her dad arranged all for her. She is

still flying Airbus 320 on International flights with 8000 hrs on Command. I am married now

with a 3 yrs old Kid who also enjoy my flying when I fly BFC Cessna.

2006

Flying Bug never stop biting you if you are a true Aviator and Passionate Pilot. So its Aviation

boom again started and this time I joined a New Airline Paramaount Airways. ERJ all